The UFC hits New Mexico’s Tingley Coliseum this Saturday with a Fight Night card headlined by former Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson‘s battle with Rustam Khabilov. Right now, Henderson sits as a solid (-245) favorite, with the return on Khabilov coming in at around (+205). The line reflects Henderson’s pedigree as a former champion, and that the bout is clearly a step up for ‘Tiger” Khabilov.
Henderson is an interesting case. He is a well spoken, charismatic former champion, and he made three successful title defenses once he grabbed the belt. That he was not given an instant re-match for the belt raised a few eyebrows, as the prior champion (Edgar) was coming off a 2-0-1 stint before losing to Henderson and he warranted a shot. It was a management call, because the re-match for Henderson was justifiable.
Henderson returned with a controversial win over Josh Thomson that derailed Josh Thomson’s title aspirations, but apparently did nothing for Henderson’s. Instead Henderson gets the hungry up and comer Rustam Khabilov.
Khabilov is a perfect 3-0 in the UFC. In his last outing, veteran Jorge Masvidal took him the full time limit, but he was able to show his trademark aggression in the fight, and he won unanimously on the judge’s scorecards. Masvidal is a highly skilled veteran, and in many wawys his tendency towards a methodical style make him similar to Henderson.
Henderson is struggling with the perception that he has been lucky at the hands of the judges. Several of his recent high profile bouts, including his last outing against Thomson saw the judges give him the nod. There is the sense that he won, but that he has not won decisively in a long time. Henderson is going to need to finish this fight decisively, as allowing it to go to the judges against Khabilov could wind up being a mistake.
And their lies Khabilov’s chance. If he is able to come forward and get Henderson out of his game plan, and he is able to perhaps get a takedown and work from the top, he could steal rounds in the eyes of the judges. It puts more pressure on Henderson to finish.
